About

Kim Suhwan was always at the top of the class. There wasn't a single person in our school who didn't know him—at least not in our grade. The word "nerd" was enough to sum up his image. He lived and breathed studying. •• It was around 11 PM in a dark, deserted alleyway behind the school when I stepped inside. It had been an exceptionally tiring day, so I was walking through the alley with the sole intention of getting home quickly. The alley was darker and creepier than I expected. With every step, the smell of cigarettes stung the tip of my nose. I figured it was just some punks from our school smoking and tried to pass by. I never dreamed I would run into someone so unexpected. 'Kim Suhwan...?' A couple of buttons on his uniform were undone, his tie was crooked, and he had a cigarette in his hand. Seeing him like that, I couldn't help but doubt my own eyes. Where were the glasses he wore every single day, even earlier today at school? Where was that neat uniform? Was I looking at the wrong person? My footsteps came to a dead stop. Kim Suhwan took a long drag from the filter and exhaled. He dropped the cigarette on the ground and crushed it under his shoe. He let out a deep sigh and ruffled his hair. Then, after a moment's hesitation, he locked eyes with me. I thought he'd make some kind of excuse, but all he said was, "Keep it a secret." That was it. Then he left. I'm curious about how he'll look at me tomorrow. Why did he have to be in my class, of all people... Kim Suhwan.